Photos of Alberto Fernández’s ex-partner with bruises are spread; former president is accused of physical violence

The release, late on Thursday, of photos showing Fabiola Yáñez, the ex-partner of former Argentine President Alberto Fernández, with several bruises on her body, and of a video in the Casa Rosada, in which another woman appears and the voice-over of the then president, have been another setback for him.

The Argentine portal Infobae published the photos and chats that, according to the media after having access to them, are included in the investigation into the complaint filed this Tuesday against Fernández by the mother of his two-year-old son Francisco, for alleged physical violence and harassment and which have led the Justice to issue restrictive measures against the former president.

In one of the images, which the outlet says were taken in August 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Yáñez shows a bruise on the inside of his arm, and in another a black ring around his right eye.

According to the information collected by this medium, the Photos were sent by Yáñez to Fernández in the context of WhatsApp conversationsin which she reproaches her then partner for his violent attitude.

The appearance of these photographs generated a strong reaction among politicians, including the presidential spokesman, Manuel Adorni, who wrote a very brief text: “Gentlemen: never again. The end.”

The Minister of Defense, Luis Petri, also referred to the case and stated that “he should be imprisoned now like other violent people with preventive detention,” while several members of La Libertad Avanza, the far-right party with which the president, Javier Milei, came to the Presidency, spread the photos on social networks or supported the idea that Fernández should go to prison.

Almost simultaneously with the publication of the photographs, a video allegedly recorded in the Casa Rosada (headquarters of the Argentine Government) began to circulate in the Argentine media and on social networks.

In it, a woman, Tamara Pettinato, a contributor to various media outlets, is seen drinking beer and speaking in a very confident tone, presumably with the then president.which can only be heard off-screen.

Argentina is witnessing the worst moment for Alberto Fernández, who left the Presidency of Argentina almost eight months ago after four years in office (2019-2023).

After the countless criticisms received for his management, especially from his successor, for the “inherited legacy”, and the scandal unleashed in 2020 by the leak of photos of Yáñez’s birthday celebration with friends at the presidential residence while the country was in full lockdown, the Peronist politician faces a much darker chapter.